by Daragh Small

Limerick captain Declan Hannon believes that Cork have set the pace in the championship this year but he's confident they can turn them over in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday if they are still in the hunt in the final quarter.

Hannon, who made his debut in the league over seven years ago, knows Limerick will need to be in the groove if they are stop the Rebels.

But the 25-year old is confident they have the talent to bring Cork's gallop to a halt and reach the All-Ireland final.

"It is going to be a ferocious challenge, Cork are unbeaten this year, they are the form team, they have been the most consistent out of any of the teams in the country, I think.

"They have set the standard really, really high so it is going to take a mammoth effort from all of us in Limerick to try to keep pace with them.

"If we are there or thereabouts come the last 10 or 15 minutes we will be giving it everything."

The switch of the Adare man by John Kiely last year to centre-back has given Limerick a strong platform in the No.6 shirt but Hannon said that moving from attack wasn't a big deal.

"I suppose, growing up playing there with the club, Adare, and playing there throughout school and college, it doesn't matter where you are put, you have to do a job as best you can.

"If you don't, there are two or three lads chomping at the bit, sitting on the sideline, waiting to come in. You are there to do the best you can with the role you are given.

"We have all done that this year, the lads around me and the lads around the team, they have all been digging in and given a hand-out when they can. It has made my life a lot easier in terms of changing positions.

"But I am enjoying it, enjoying it a lot this year and thankfully, we are still involved at this time of year.

"Anyone involved this year is going to do the best for the team, no matter where they are put, whether that is inside in goals or water-carrier or wherever that may be," he added.

Hannon said that the experience gained by Limerick, not just at senior level but also in underage triumphs, is helping them deal with big moments in championship hurling.

"We have shown throughout the league and championship before that when a team gets ahead of us or get a run on us, we just stay really composed.

"That is down to the hard work of all the players throughout the field, the likes of Tom tracking back from the half-forward line, it is just working hard and helping each other out.

"But we are two years trying to get it right, it just didn't happen overnight. We are two years at it, and there were a few challenge games where it went wrong. But we just kept at it.

"We spoke about it earlier in the year, that this is where we are going. If you want to buy in, great. If you don't, well there is the exit door. Everyone has bought into it and they have bought into the style of play that we are trying to implement.

"But games take their own shape as well and you have to adapt on the field and we have done that quite well this year," he added.

Follow our live match tracker this weekend for minute-by-minute coverage of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-finals.

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